Container construction



Feb. 25, 1964 G. E. SEGER, JR I 3,122,298

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 2l, 1961 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 PT- gf Feb. 25, 1964 G. E. sEGER, JR

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21. 1961 am alla 62.,

Feb. 25, 1964 G. E. SEGER, JR 3,122,298

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 2l, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 'lill/1111111 [z v INVENToR. Gaylord 6. Seyer J1? United States Patent O 3,122,298 CGNTAINER CNSTRUCTIN Gayiord E. Seger, r., Quincy, Iii., assigner to Packaging Corporation of America, Evanston, iii., a corporation of Deia* yare Filed Dec. 2i, 196i, Ser. No. 160,978 i Ciairns, (Cl. 229-16) This invention relates to a container construction and more particularly to a container construction adapted for use in the packing of produce.

In the harvesting and packing of produce such as peaches, for example, the produce is first gathered in the grove and then taken to the packing plant where grading occurs. After grading, the produce is packed into a shipping container as, for example, a conventional wooden bushel basket, and the filled basket is then subjected to a cooiing step customarily referred to as hydro-cooling. The purpose of hydro-cooling is to reduce the latent and field heat of the packed produce, thus eliminating the possibility of spoilage due to this cause. This cooling step may be accomplished, for example, by subjecting the packaged produce to a spray of cool water or by causing cooled air to pass thereover. v

When the produce is packed in conventional wooden bushel baskets, it is necessary to first load a metal form in the Shape of an inverted basket and then to transfer the produce from this form into the basket.

One form of a prior art carton construction especially adapted for the packing and shipping of produce is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,950,850. This prior art carton, which `consists of two nested units, is con- Stmcted in such a manner that after the produce has been packed therein, it may be subjected to hydro-cooling. Ways 'have been sought to improve and further simplify the manufacture of the carton or container as well as to `further facilitate the packing thereof.

it is one object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved container construction which will materially simplify the packing of produce.

it is a further object of this invention to provide an Vimproved container which may be packed with produce without requiring special forms, protective liners, or other special packing devices or procedures heretofore required.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a tapered produce container which may be manufactured on standard semi-automatic and/ or automatic box making machines with a maximum of hand operations involved.

it is an additional object of this invention to provide a lightweight and compact container which affords adequate ventilation for its Contents, is not deleteriously affected by water or excessive moisture from its contents, and is of a shape suitable for stacking of the produce during transit or storage.

it is an additional object of this invention to provide a container which may be readily coilapsed and in such condition shipped in bulk to the user and then readily set up at the times of use.

Other objects will be seen and a further understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following descriptions and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The container constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a receptacle portion and a cover portion. Both portions of the container may be manufactured from foidabie material such as corrugated box board, and the receptacle portion is particularly adapted to be manufactured on standard automatic and/ or Serniautomatic box making machines.

in accordance with one embodiment, the receptacle part ICC of the improved container includes a side section consisting of a plurality of side panels, the edges of which are joined and the ends of which lie in parallel planes and define `first and second polygonal end openings for the container. The polygon of the rst end opening is preferably an Octagon and has a greater number of sides than the polygon of the second end opening which is preferably a square. The side panels are equal in height, and the panel congurations are such that the adjacent corner angles are Supplementary. Thus, the end limits of the side panels define two parallel coextensive end lines; and therefore, although the areas of the two polygonal end openings differ, the peripheries of the two openings which are delimited by the coextensive end lines 0f the panels are substantially equal.

End pieces, identical in shape and just slightly smaller than the side panels and integral with the panel ends which define the sides of the first or octagonal end opening, are foldable along the top end line inwardly to reinforce the side panels and to form a side liner or cushion for the produce. End aps integral with the panel ends which define the sides of the second or square end opening are foldable along the bottom end line inwardly to close this end of the container.

The cover member of the improved container has an end panel substantially the same shape as the first or octangonal end opening, and peripheral ange portions which depend from the end panel are adapted toaccommodate therewithin the portions of the receptacle adjacent the first end opening. Means is also provided for releasably latching the cover member in position closing the first end opening.

For a complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a blank of corrugated box board or other suitable material lfrom which the receptacle portion of the container may be constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a blank of corrugated box board or other suitable material from which the cover portion of the container may be made;

FiG. 3 is a perspective View of the blank illustrated in FIG. 1 after the outer side panels thereof have been set up and preliminary to the folding inwardly of the end pieces and flaps;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle portion of the container in further state of being set up and showing the manner in which the end pieces may ibe folded into the octagonal end thereof to provide a liner or cushion therewithin;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking into the square or bottom end of the receptacle portion and showing the opposite end pieces after they have been folded into the receptacle to form the liner;

FIG. 6 is a perspective View looking into the top or octagonal end of the receptacle portion after the bottom aps have been folded inwardly to close the square or bottom end;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blank illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the various portions of this blank may be folded to form the cover portion of the container;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the receptacle and cover portions of the container; and

FIG. l() is a side perspective View of the container showing the receptacle and cover portions thereof in interlocking assembled relationship.

With more particular reference to the drawings, the container constructed in accordance with this invention includes a receptacle portion 12 and a cover portion .i4

(see FIGS. 9 and l0). Both the cover and the receptacle portions may be formed of foldable material such as corrugated box board, and the receptacle portion is particularly adapted for manufacture on standard automatic and/ or semi-automatic box making machines.

The blank from which the receptacle portion 12 is made may be elongated and substantially rectangular as illustrated in PEG. l. A pair of longitudinally extending end fold lines 16 and 17 divide the blank 15 into three sections: a central or receptacle side section 13, a top or end piece section 19, and a bottom or end flap section 2d. A plurality of fold lines 21 divide the central side section 1S into four identical primary side panels 22, 23, 24 and 25, which are preferably in the shape of isosceles trapezoids and four substantially identical secondary side panels 25, 27, 28 and 29, which are preferably in the shape of inverted isosceles triangles. The width of the base of each trapezoidal panel 22-25 is preferably equal to the height of the panel. it will be noted that the triangular and trapezoidal side panels are of equal height and that the triangular panels 26-29 are disposed between trapezoidal panels 22-25.

The adjacent corner angles of the panels are supplementary, i.e., they form a straight (180) angle along the longitudinal fold lines 16 and 17. For example, the angle v at the top of each trapezoidal panel and the angle w at the base of each adjacent inverted triangular panel are supplementary; and the angle x at the base of each trapezoidal panel, the apex angle y of each triangular panel and the angle z at the base of each trapezoidal panel are supplementary. The shortest (top) of the parallel sides of the trapezoidal side panels 22-25 are thus aligned with the bases of the inverted triangular side panels 26-25 along the fold line 16, and the apexes y of the triangular side panels are aligned with the bases of the trapezoidal side sections along fold line 17. The feature of having all adjacent corner angles of the side panels 22-29 supplementary is important, for the entire side section 18 which comprises these panels is thus contained within and defined at top and bottom by the parallel fold lines 16 and 17. It is this feature which makes it possible to form the blank and the receptacle portion of the container on standard automatic and/or semiautomatic box making machines.

A plurality of transverse slots 30 extending between the top of the blank and the top fold line 16 divide the top or end piece section 19 of the blank into four trapezoidal end pieces 32, 33, 34 and 35 and four triangular end pieces 36, 37, 38 and 39. The slots 30 and the end pieces 32-39 defined thereby are mirror images of the fold lines 21 and the panels 22-29 defined thereby in the central or side section 18 of the blank 15. As a result, the end pieces 32, 33, 34 and 35 are the same shape as trapezoidal side panels 22, 23, 24 and 25, and the short parallel (top) side of each such end piece is attached to the short parallel side of its corresponding trapezoidal side panel along the fold line 16. Also, end pieces 36, 37, 33 and 39, except for a slight blunting or truncating of their apexes, are substantially the same shape as triangular side panels 25, 27, 28 and 29; and the base of each such end piece is attached to the base of its corresponding inverted triangular side panel along the fold line 16. The end pieces 32-35 are of equal height; however, they are preferably just slightly smaller than the side panels 22-29, and thus they may be folded inwardly as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The bottom or end flap section 2li is divided by slots 42 into four rectangular end flaps 44, d5,k 46 and 47, each flap being connected to the base of a corresponding primary or trapezoidal side panel along fold line 17. rl`he flap width is approximately equal to the width of the primary panel base to which it is attached, and the length of each flap is approximately equal to half the flap width. It will be noted that at the edge of each ap there is a central half slot, the half slots 44a and 46a in aps 44 and 46 respectively extending lengthwise, and the half slots 45a and 47a of naps S5 47 respectively extending widthwise. The function of these half slots will hereinafter be more fully described.

The sides of the blank 15 consist of portions of triangular side panel 26 and triangular end piece When these sides are overlapped and joined, as by staples 4d, to form the receptacle portion 12 in the manner illustrated in FlG. 3, a single partially overlapped side panel 26 and partially overlapped end piece 36 will be formed at the juncture identical with the corresponding triangular side panels and end pieces. Thus formed, the receptacle portion 12 may be shipped or stored in a knocked down or flat form, and for this purpose medial fold lines lSa and 15b are provided (see FIG. l). When the box is opened as shown in FIG. 3, the bases of the four inverted triangular side panels 26-29 and the tops of the trapezoidal side pieces 22-25 will form an octagonal opening at one end of the container. At the same time, the bases of the trapezoidal side panels will form a square opening at the opposite end of the container, as best illustrated in FIG. 5.

The side pieces 32-39 which are substantially mirror images of the side panels to which they are attached mayY be folded inwardly against their respective side panels to form a lining which will reinforce the side panels and will act as a cushioning for the produce which may be placed in the container.

The bottom end of the container which is square is closed by means of the end flaps 44, 45, 46 and 47. As previously described, these end flaps are provided with half slots 44a, 45a, 46a and 47a, and thus when panels d and 46 are simultaneously closed, a central slot 44adtz remains; and subsequently, when panels 45 and 47 are closed over the flaps 44 and 6, a second slot 45u-47a will remain which is coincident with the first slot. Thus, proper ventilation and draining is provided at the bottom of the container.

The combination of the triangular and trapezoidal side panels provide a side taper; see FIG. l0. The taper of the side panels serves to more effectively cushion thel third of the area of side section 18 taper outwardly fromV top to bottom. It is to be noted that the area of the container receptacle portion at the octagonal or top end is substantially (approximately 17%) greater than the area at the square or bottom end; however, the perimeter or peripheral dimension of the receptacle is the same at both top and bottom.

The cover portion of the container is formed from the blank illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes a top panel 41 which is the same shape as the opening in the top of the container and just slightly larger in size. in the preferred embodiment, the top opening is inthe shape of a regular Octagon, the top panel 41 of the container is also in the shape of a regular Octagon. Integral with and extending from alternate sides of this octagonal top panel 41 are four leaves 42, 44, 46 and 43. Each leaf has a pair of oppositely disposed, laterally extending tabs: leaf 42 has tabs 42a and 42b; leaf i4 has tabs 44a and 44h; leaf i5 has tabs 46a and deb; and leaf e8 has tabs 48a and 4gb. Integral with the top panel il and extending from the remaining four sides thereof are Since the clamping sections may be folded about the lateral tab of each of the two adjacent leaves to clamp the leaves in this position. Thus, for example, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, clamping section Sil will be folded about tabs 42a and 48h to clamp leaves 42 and 43 into positions normal to the plane of panel 4l. In order to maintain the clamping sections in their folded position, tabular appendages Sila, 52a, 54a and 56a are provided on the respective clmping sections, and slots or recesses 6l), 62, 64 and 65 are formed in the undersurface of top panel di (see FIG. 8). When the clamping sections are folded over the lateral tab of each of the two adjacent leaves, the tabular appendage thereon may be inserted within the corresponding recess in the top panel 41; and the clamping section will thus be locked in its folded or clamping position.

Since the top panel 41 is just slightly larger than the top of the receptacle portion l?, of the container, the top portions of the side panels 22-29 will be accommodated within the depending lip of the cover formed by the interlocking arrangement of the leaves 412-43 and the lamping sections Sil-S6. Thus, the cover will close the top end of the receptacle 12.

in order to latch the cover in this position, hand holes 7i' and '72 are provided near the top of the trapezoidal side panels 23 and 2S which are adapted to accommodate a pair of tongues 74 and 76 formed on cover leaves 44 nd 48, respectively. The tips of the tongues 74 and 76 are distended and are slightly wider than the width of hand holes 7u and 72 in the side panels of the receptacle. l/Vhen the cover member ld has been positioned over the octagonal opening at the top of the receptacle 13, the tips of tongues 7e and 76 may be inserted within hand holes 79 and 72 in the side panels of the receptacle to thereby releasably lock the cover in its closed position.

in utilizing the improved container for packing produce therein subsequent to grading of said produce, the receptacle and cover portions of the container are iirst assembled and are locked together by means of the tongues 74 and 76 and hand holes 7d and 72. The container is then inverted with the cover functioning as the base. The bottom end iiaps i4-47 of the receptacle are then opened. If desired, the lower layer of the produce adjacent the cover 14 may be faced by hand to provide a more attractive appearance for display purposes. After facing the bottom layer of produce, the remainder of the inverted container is filled with the produce arranged in random fashion, The end aps i4-47 are then closed and sealed by well-known means such as stapling or gluing.

ri`he hydro-cooling step, as previously described, may then be accomplished by either spraying the container and its contents with cool water or causing cool air to circulate throughout the container.

The box board from which the container is constructed is preferably treated with a water or moisture resistant composition so that the container is not adversely adected by the hydro-cooling operation. The slots in the bottom container formed by the edge slots al4a, 45a, 45a and 47a in the end ilaps, together with the relatively loosely fitting cover member 14;, permit adequate ventilation of the produce during transit and storage and also enable any water used in the hydro-cooling process or any moisture associated with the packed produce to be readily drained from the interior of the container. Since the container is in the shape of a regular polygon, and the top panel Lt-l of the cover portion is parallel to the folded end flaps i4-47 of the receptacle portion, the filled container may be easily stored and transported in regular stacks and rows with maximum economy of space.

The construction of the container has been found to et ect a saving in material of approximately 11% over that of a regular cubical container of the same contents. Also due to the tapered construction, Vthe receptacle portion of the container is in elfect pre-bulged, and no additional bulging, such as is common with packed containers of a previous design, is permitted to take place even after prolonged storage.

It will be seen that an improved container construction has been provided which materially simplifies the packing of produce and eliminates the need for special forms, protective liners, and other special packing devices or procedures. The container has a pleasing tapered appearance, and yet the maior portion of this container may be made on a standard semi-automatic and/ or automatic box making machine. The container is compact, sturdy, and serves as an attractive display case for the contents thereof. Furthermore, the container is capable of being collapsed and when in such condition readily shipped or stored in bulk and then readily set up at the time of use.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that many modifications and changes in various details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable container havinnr a plurality of edge joined side panels, the ends of said side panels defining first and second polygonal end openings, the polygon of said rst end opening having a greater number of sides than the polygon of said second end opening, and the peripheral dimensions of said polygonal end openings being substantially equal, each of said side panels having an end piece integral with the end thereof which defines a portion of said first polygonal end opening, said end pieces being foldable inwardly to rei force said side panels and to form a side cushion for the contents of said container, and a plurality of end flaps integral with the panel ends dening said second polygonal end opening and foldable inwardly to close said second end opening.

2. A foldable container having a plurality of trapezoidal Side panels and a plurality of interposed inverted supplementary triangular panels, said panels being substantially equal in height and having their ends in substantial alignment to define two polygonal end openings, the peripheral dimensions of which are substantially equal, the polygon of one of said end openings having twice the number of sides of the polygon of the other end opening, each of said side panels having an end piece attached to the end thereof which delines a portion of said one polygonal end opening, said end pieces being foldable inwardly to reinforce said side panels and to form a cushion for the contents of said container, and each of said trapezoidal side panels having attached to the opposite end thereof an end nap foldable inwardly to close said other polygonal end opening.

3. A blank of foldable material from which a receptacle may be formed having polygonal ends, the areas of which differ and the peripheral dimensions of which are substantially the same, said blank being substantially rectangular and having a pair of parallel longitudinally extending fold lines defining a central receptacle side sec tion and a pair of end sections integral therewith, said side section having a plurality of transverse secondary fold lines defining a plurality of interspersed trapezoidal and triangular side panels of equal height, one of said end sections having a plurality of transverse slots dividing said section into a plurality of end flaps for closing one of the polygonal ends of the receptacle, and the other end section having a plurality of transverse slots dividing said section into a plurality of end pieces which are joined to and are substantial mirror images of the panels of said side section, said end pieces being foldable inwardly to form a liner for the sides of the receptacle.

4. A foldable container having a plurality of edge joined side panels, the ends of said side panels defining irst and second polygonal end openings, the polygon of said rst end opening having a greater number of sides than the polygon of said second end opening, and the peripheral dimensions o1" said polygonal end openings being substantially equal, each o" said side panels having an end piece integral with he end thereof which defines a portion of said first polygonal end opening, said end pieces being foldable inwardly to reinfoce said side panels and to form a side cushion for the conens of said container, a cover inemltaeihaving substantially the same shape as said irst polygonal opening and having depending peripheral portions for accommodating the portions of said side panels adjacent said rst polygonal end opening, means for releasably ataching said cover member in position to close said i'st polygonal end opening, and a plurality of end aps integfal win the panel ends defining said second polygonal end opening and oldable inwariily to close said second end opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 398,190 Munson Nov. 18, 1884 2,819,008 Whie et al Jan. 7, 1958 FOREEGN PATENTS 182,069 Swizei'land Apr. 1, 1936 

1. A FOLDABLE CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF EDGE JOINED SIDE PANELS, THE ENDS OF SAID SIDE PANELS DEFINING FIRST AND SECOND POLYGONAL END OPENINGS, THE POLYGON OF SAID FIRST END OPENING HAVING A GREATER NUMBER OF SIDES THAN THE POLYGON OF SAID SECOND END OPENING, AND THE PERIPHERAL DIMENSIONS OF SAID POLYGONAL END OPENINGS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL, EACH OF SAID SIDE PANELS HAVING AN END PIECE INTEGRAL WITH THE END THEREOF WHICH DEFINES A PORTION OF SAID FIRST POLYGONAL END OPENING, SAID END PIECES BEING FOLDABLE INWARDLY TO REINFORCE SAID SIDE PANELS AND TO FORM A SIDE CUSHION FOR THE CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER, AND A PLURALITY OF END FLAPS INTEGRAL WITH THE PANEL ENDS DEFINING SAID SECOND POLYGONAL END OPENING AND FOLDABLE INWARDLY TO CLOSE SAID SECOND END OPENING. 